Barrel lock



Jan. 10, 1967 w. A. AUERBACH ETAL BARREL LOCK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 4, 1964 INVENTORS WILLJAM A. AUERBACH ALBERT KUR\MSKY ATTORNEY5 Jan. 10, 1967 w. A. AUERBACH ETAL 3,

BARREL LOCK Filed Sept. 4, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet z INVENTOR5 WlLLlFIM. FMFXUERBACH ALBERT rwmmsvv/ HTrOR/VEYS United States Patent Office 3,296,842 Patented Jan. 10, 1967 3,296,842 BARREL LOCK William A. Auerbach, Morristown, and Albert Kurimsky,

Rockaway, NJ, assiguors to Automatic Canteen Company of America, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 4, I964, Ser. No. 394,537 13 Claims. ((11. 70-$2) Our invention relates to an improved latch and barrel lock combination for automatic dispensing machines and the like, and more particularly to a latch and barrel lock combination providing improved security.

One of the most common and satisfactory methods in the prior art for securing automatic dispensing machine doors consists of a latch and barrel lock combination. This relatively simple and inexpensive combination provides good security, and permits easy access by the attendants servicing the machine. Briefly, this prior art arrangement embodies a latch which is rotatably mounted on the inside of the dispensing machine door. There is an access opening in the machine door and in this opening a barrel lock is mounted. The barrel lock consists of a barrel shaped housing secured in the access opening and a key controlled removable lock plug. The latch, when the lock plug is removed, is rotated to unlocking position by a removable wrench inserted through the access opening in the door to cause the latch to engage and disengage a coacting member on the frame of the machine.

To lock the door, the latch is rotated until it engages coacting members in the machine frame, and the wrench is removed. The lock plug is then inserted and locked in the barrel shaped housing, and the door is thus locked.

While this system is satisfactory in general, it is not as secure as is desirable since thieves can jimmy the door slightly away from the frame and then rotate the latch without removing the lock plug by means of an elongated tool. The door can be opened and the machine can be looted.

We have invented an improved latch and barrel lock combination which prevents operation of the latch when the lock plug is in place in the lock housing.

An object of our invention is to make cabinets which use a latch and barrel lock combination tamper-proof.

Another object of our invention is to make dispensing machines more secure by means of a relatively simple, inexpensive mechanism which can advantageously be employed in combination with the latch and barrel lock systems installed in existing dispensing machines.

A further object of our invention is to provide an improvement for latch and barrel lock combinations used in automatic dispensing machines which will positively prevent operation of the latch when the lock plug is in place.

An additional object of our invention is to provide an improved plug for barrel locks to enable the latch of a cabinet to be readily, simply and conveniently immobilized when the plug is in place.

Other and further objects of our invention will appear from the following description.

In general our invention contemplates providing the key controlled plug of a barrel lock with an extension carrying a locking member corresponding in cross-sectional shape to the wrench for operating the cabinet latch. We provide a stationary member having an opening of the same cross-sectional shape as the locking member. The locking member is of such length that when the plug is housed in the barrel lock housing, the locking member will extend through the opening in the stationary memher and into the socket opening of the latch, thus immobilizing the latch to the stationary member. The plug extension acts as a carrier on which the locking member is rotatably mounted, thus permitting the plug to be rotated to locked position in the barrel housing.

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instant specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet for dollar bill changer showing the location of our barrel lock;

FIGUREZ is a side elevation, partially in section, of an assembled lock and latch combination, showing one embodiment of our invention;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of a latch and lock shown in FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a spring washer used in our invention.

More particularly, referring to the drawings, our im' proved latch barrel lock arrangement may be applied, for example, to a dollar bill changer having a cabinet 11 provided with a door it We attach a latch notch or latch receptacle 12 to the frame of the cabinet It. A latch bracket 14 is secured to the door it) by any apprpriate means such as by welding. In an opening 18 in the latch bracket i4, we rotatably mount a latch shaft indicated generally by the reference numeral 16. This shaft is formed with a keying cross-section such as flat sides 22, and is thereby keyed to a similarly shaped opening 24 in a latch hub 25.

The particular latch indicated generally by the reference numeral 26 carries arms 36 hinged on pins 32 so that upon rotation of shaft 16 in a counterclockwise direction, viewed from the right in FIGURE 3, the latch arms 36 will move outwardly and engage slots 34 on receptacles I2, and rotation in the opposite direction will withdraw the latch arms from the receptacle slots. Guides 35 are attached to the door 10 to prevent arms 36 and receptacle slots 34 from becoming misaligned when they are disengaged. We employ a biasing spring 42 which has one end thereof secured to latch bracket 14 and its other end extended beyond bracket 14 to engage arm 44 of latch hub 25 to urge it against a stop pin 41. When the latch hub arm 44 is against pin 41 the latch arms 36 will extend outwardly to engage receptacles 12.

Shaft 16 is provided with an enlarged portion 52 which forms a shoulder that abuts against bracket 14 when the latch 26 is secured to the shaft 16, as shown in FIGURE 2. Formed in the enlarged portion 52 of the shaft 16 is a keyed socket 54 adapted to receive the latch operating Wrench. The key shape shown is hexagonal, but any appropriate keying shape, such as square, triangular, half round, or irregular may be employed. As will be described hereinafter, when the barrel lock plug is removed, a Wrench having a keyed end may be inserted into the socket 54 through opening 56 in door 10'.

To prevent the unauthorized opening of door 10 when the latch is engaged, we provide a barrel lock indicated generally by the reference numeral 58. A barrel shaped housing 62 of the barrel lock is mounted in opening 56 by means of nut 63 which engages threads 66 on the housing as can readily be seen by reference to FIGURE 2. The housing 62 is formed with a key shaped passageway 76 adapted to receive a plug 64 and locking bar 74 which is afiixed to plug 64. This plug 64 carries an extension 89, on which we rotatably mount a latch locking member 82. The central portion 72 of passageway '76 is large enough to permit insertion and withdrawal of the latch locking member 82.

The plug 64 is provided with key controlled locking pins (not shown) as is well known in barrel locks of the prior art. These pins engage block 61 shown in FIGURE 2 to prevent rotation of the plug when locked.

When the plug is unlocked it may be rotated to permit itsremov'al, by aligning bar 74 with passage 76.

The extension 80 formed with a shoulder 81 is threadedly carried by the core 65 of plug 64, as can readily be seen by reference to FIGURE 2. Although we prefer this method of affixing the extension 88' to the plug 64, since existing locks can thus be easily modified, any other appropriate method may be used to attach the extension 80 to the core 65.

As plug 64- is inserted into housing 62, the locking member 82 travels through the passage 76 in housing 62 and enters socket 54. To immobilize the latch hub 25 and hence the latch 26 when the lock plug 64 is lodged in housing 62, we provide .a stationary member 84, which is formed with a keying opening 88 in alignment with socket 54. Machine screws 83 secure this stationary member 84 to the latch bracket 14. We make locking member 82 sufficiently long so that when it is in engagement with socket 54, a portion of it will be positioned in opening 88. Since locking member 82 engages both socket 54 and stationary member 84, the latch hub is prevented from rotating and will thus be immobilized. It will be noted that owing to the fact that extension 80 may rotate relative to the immobilized locking member 82 the plug 64 may be rotated, when unlocked by a key, to enable the plug to be removed from the housing 62.

To insert plug 64 in housing 62 locking bar 74 must be aligned with the keyway in passageway 76 and hexagonal locking member 82 must line up with the hexagonal opening 88 and socket 54. Socket 54 is arranged so that it is aligned with opening 88 when the latch hub 25 rests against pin 41. To prevent accidental misalignment of locking member 82, when plug 64 has been removed from housing 62, we provide a spring washer 94 between locking bar 74 and locking member 82. This spring washer 94 is shown in detail in FIGURE 4, and urges locking member 82 against the shoulder 81. The frictional engagement between the locking member 82 and the shoulder 81 prevents the member 82 from accidental relative rotation in respect to locking bar 74. However, since the positioning of the parts by the washer is frictional, the plug may be rotated relative to the locking member 82 when it is immobilized by positioning in opening 88.

In operation, to open the cabinet door 10, a key is inserted in barrel lock 58, plug 64 is rotated and removed from housing 62. A wrench is then inserted through the passageway 76 in lock housing 62 to engage socket 54. The wrench can then be turned to unlatch the door. The keyed wrench has a hexagonal head to correspond with socket 54. The wrench head, it will be understood, is of such dimension that it will clear the stationary member 84 when lodged in the socket 54.

To lock the cabinet the door is closed, and latch 26 is rotated until it engages receptacle 12. Locking bar 74 is aligned with passageway 76 in the lock housing 62 and the plug is inserted in the housing. When the plug 64 is housed, locking bar 74 will be free to rotate. Upon rotation of plug 64 the locking bar 74 Will extend across passageway 76 thus preventing withdrawal of the plug. With the lock plug 64 locked in housing 62, locking member 82 engages the socket 54, immobilizing it to stationary member 84 thus positively securing the latch 26.

It will be seen we have achieved the objects of our invention. We have provided an improved plug for barrel locks to enable the latch of a cabinet to be readily, simply and conveniently immobilized when the plug is in place. Without materially adding to the cost of the lock, or changing its operation, we have made the latch and lock combination commonly employed in automatic dispensing machines virtually tamper-proof. Further, the locking and unlocking procedure has not been changed. With our improved construction the latch cannot be rotated by reaching with a tool through a pried or jimmied portion of the door.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of our claims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope of our claims without departing from the spirit of our invention. It is therefore to be understood that our invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

I. An assembly of the character described including in combination a cabinet having a door, a latch actuator rotatably carried by said door, said latch actuator including a keying member adapted to receive a latch operating wrench, an opening in said door to permit access to said actuator, a plug lock housing mounted in said opening, a lock plug, said lock plug being movable from a first position blocking said door opening to a second position clear of said opening, movement of said plug from said first to said second position including rotation of said plug, an extension carried by said plug, a locking member rotatably mounted on said extension, a spring washer carried by said extension urging said locking member into frictional engagement with said extension, said locking member engaging said keying member when said plug is in said blocking position, a stationary element, said stationary element having a keying opening therein aligned with said keying member, said locking member positioned in said opening and keyed to said stationary element when it is in engagement with said keying member whereby said locking member is immobilized.

2. An assembly of the character described including in combination a cabinet having a door, a latch actuator rotatably carried by said door, an opening in said door to permit access to said actuator, a plug lock housing mounted in said opening, a lock plug, said plug being movable from a first position blocking said door opening to a second position clear of said opening, movement of said plug from said first to said second position including rotation of said plug, an extension carried by said plug, a locking member rotatably mounted on said extension, a spring washer carried by said plug urging said locking member into frictional engagement with said extension, said locking member engaging said actuator when said plug is in said blocking position, a stationary element, said stationary element having a keying opening therein, said locking member positioned in and keyed to said stationary element when it is in engagement with said actuator whereby said locking member is immobilized.

3. An assembly of the character described including in combination a cabinet having a door, a latch actuator rotatably carried by said door, an opening in said door to permit access to said actuator, a plug lock housing mounted in said opening, a lock plug, said plug being movable from a first position blocking said door opening to a second position clear of said opening, movement of said plug from said first to said second position including rotation of said plug, a rotatable locking member carried by said plug, frictional means carried by said plug preventing accidental rotation of said locking member, said locking member engaging said actuator when said plug is in said blocking position, and a stationary element contacting said locking member when it is in engagement with said actuator to immobilze the same.

4. An assembly of the character described including in combination a cabinet having a door and a frame, a latch actuator rotatably carried by said door, an opening in said door to permit access to said actuator, a plug lock housing mounted in said opening, a rotatable lock plug, said plug being movable from a first position blocking said door opening to a second position clear of said door opening, movement of said plug from said first to said second position including rotation of said plug, a rotatable locking member carried by said plug, said member engaging said actuator when said plug is in said blocking position, and a stationary element contacting said locking member when it is in engagement with said actuator to immobilize the same.

5. An assembly of the character described including in combination a cabinet having a door, a latch actuator, an opening in said door to permit access to said actuator, a lock plug housing mounted in said opening, a lock plug, said plug being movable from a first position blocking said door opening to a second position clear of said door opening, a locking member carried by said plug and extending thereform, said locking member engaging said actuator when said lock plug is in said blocking position, and a stationary element contacting said locking member when it is in engagement with said actuator to immobilize said locking member.

6. An assembly of the character described including in combination a cabinet having a door, a latch actuator, an opening in said door to permit access to said actuator, a lock plug housing mounted in .said opening, a lock plug, said plug being movable from a first position blocking said door opening to a second position clear of said door opening, a locking member carried by said plug and extending therefrom, said locking member engaging said actuator when said lock plug is in said blocking position.

7. An assembly of the character described including in combination a cabinet having a door, a latch actuator carried by said door, an opening in said door permitting access to said actuator, a lock plug movable from a first position blocking said door opening to a second position clear of said door opening, a locking member carried by said plug and extending therefrom, said locking member contacting said latch actuator when said plug is in said blocking position immobilizing said latch actuator.

8. An assembly of the character described including in combination a cabinet having a door, a latch actuator, an opening in said door permitting access to said actuator, means movable from a first position blocking said door opening to a second position clear of said door opening, a locking member carried by said means, said locking member immobilizing said latch actuator when said means is in said blocking position.

9. An improved lock plug for barrel locks comprising in combination a lock plug, an extension carried by said plug, a locking member rotatably carrier by said extension, and a spring washer carried by said extension urging said locking member into frictional engagement with said extension.

10. In an improved lock plug assembly for a barrel lock including in combination a lock plug, a receptacle for receiving said plug for rotary movement around an axis, a first locking member carried by said plug for movement therewith, a second locking member, means mounting said second locking member for rotary movement on said plug and means on said receptacle cooperating with said first locking member for preventing axial movement of said plug out of said receptacle in one position of said plug around said axis and for permitting axial movement of said plug out of said receptacle in a second position of said plug around said axis.

11. In a lock plug as in claim 10 wherein said plug assembly is generally cylindrical, said first locking member comprising a bar having a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of said plug, said second locking member having a noncircular cross section and being mounted for rotary movement with respect to said cylindrical axis.

12. In a lock plug assembly as in claim 11 wherein said bar and said second locking member are adapted to occupy a predetermined relative position and including a spring washer biased between said members for frictionally retaining said members in said relative position.

13 In a lock plug assembly as in claim 10 wherein said first and second locking members are adapted to occupy a predetermined relative position and including resilient means for frictionally retaining said members in said predetermined relative position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 467,130 1/1892 Finnigan 15 l38 1,515,611 11/1924 OConnor --81 1,892,446 12/1932 Carr 7081 1,918,411 7/1933 Lowe 70-223 1,934,327 11/1933 Ridder 7()371 X 2,055,289 9/1936 Hanan 70379 X 2,852,926 9/1958 Chervenka 70379 X BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN ASSEMBLY OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED INCLUDING IN COMBINATION A CABINET HAVING A DOOR, A LATCH ACTUATOR ROTATABLY CARRIED BY SAID DOOR, SAID LATCH ACTUATOR INCLUDING A KEYING MEMBER ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A LATCH OPERATING WRENCH, AN OPENING IN SAID DOOR TO PERMIT ACCESS TO SAID ACTUATOR, A PLUG LOCK HOUSING MOUNTED IN SAID OPENING, A LOCK PLUG, SAID LOCK PLUG BEING MOVABLE FROM A FIRST POSITION BLOCKING SAID DOOR OPENING TO A SECOND POSITION CLEAR OF SAID OPENING, MOVEMENT OF SAID PLUG FROM SAID FIRST TO SAID SECOND POSITION INCLUDING ROTATION OF SAID PLUG, AN EXTENSION CARRIED BY SAID PLUG, A LOCKING MEMBER ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID EXTENSION, A SPRING WASHER CARRIED BY SAID EXTENSION URGING SAID LOCKING MEMBER INTO FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID EXTENSION, SAID LOCKING MEMBER ENGAGING SAID KEYING MEMBER WHEN SAID PLUG IS IN SAID BLOCKING POSITION, A STATIONARY ELEMENT, SAID STATIONARY ELEMENT HAVING A KEYING OPENING THEREIN ALIGNED WITH SAID KEYING MEMBER, SAID LOCKING MEMBER POSITIONED IN SAID OPENING AND KEYED TO SAID STATIONARY ELEMENT WHEN IT IS IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID KEYING MEMBER WHEREBY SAID LOCKING MEMBER IS IMMOBILIZED. 